Northwood Wild Exhibition at Omni ParkHow often have us city-types yearned for the fresh air of the countryside and been envious of our country cousins ? Well the truth is actually surprising, people who live in rural parts and don’t happen to own land themselves are restricted to longingly looking over fences at meadows. Farmers do not take kindly to people meandering all over their properties.

Dubliners are luckier than most urban dwellers with the amount of green areas at their disposal. Santry Demesne in North Dublin is one such example and in the park is a magical wild place called Northwood Lake. Fingal County Council who are responsible for the Park stay at ‘arms length’ from the lake as much as is possible in order to maintain its wildness.

But one man visits regularly, almost every day for the last year. Not a dog walker or jogger as you might expect, Paul Freeney takes a keen interest in the wildlife at Northwood. In fact what he sees at the lake each day is documented, it is recorded in words and images and true to the E-world we now live in his images and reports are read all over the world and commented on by the visitors to Paul’s blog and Photo site on the internet.

Now Paul has taken his love of wildlife one step further as he will be holding a Photographic Exhibition of his fascinating images right through the month of March in Omni Park Shopping Centre. When we spoke to him he was more than enthusiastic about the event, “We’ve pulled out all the stops for this and are proud that we will be displaying high quality fully framed images that will excite and inspire.”

“After a full year of this solitary pursuit I am delighted with the way people have responded to the images and the whole idea of this exhibition,” Paul said. “Omni Park Shopping Centre have been just great, they rightly see this as a vote of confidence in the community and the environment and once they were on board local businesses got involved too. In fact we are now in the lucky situation that every visitor to the exhibition will be entered in a ‘wonder draw’, prizes ranging from a family flight with Aer Arann, a dinner for two in the Crowne Plaza Hotel or a beauty treatment in Beauty Laine Salon.”

The plans for the exhibition belie its humble beginnings, Paul explained “we are aiming for a relaxed atmosphere, the lovely wooden floors and white walls of the former shop will be transformed with furniture from desksandchairs.ie and plenty of greenery will bring an atmosphere that people will be happy to pause in while they enjoy the images on display.”
“In fact,” Paul smiled, “ it’s a long way from some of those muddy and rainy days at the lakeside last winter. I took these pictures so that people will realise the wonderful amenity that is right beside them not only here in Santry, but in every park you visit in Dublin. The wildlife is there just waiting to be discovered !!!

I was interviewed live on Near fm today. The interview, about the upcoming Exhibition was certainly the best PR I’ve had for the exbo and lasted somewhere between 15 & 20 minutes ( although it felt like 5). I had been very nervous about this in the previous days but when it came to the minute I was fine, it felt like I was just having a chat with the presenter and I almost forgot there were listeners outside the room.

I will post a podcast or mp3 as soon as they publish it and as soon as I can find it. Thanks to presenter Noel McGuinness & producer Zandra Ball.

How often have us city-types yearned for the fresh air of the countryside and been envious of our country cousins ? Well the truth is actually surprising, people who live in rural parts and don’t happen to own land themselves are restricted to longingly looking over fences at meadows. Farmers do not take kindly to people meandering all over their properties.

Dubliners are luckier than most urban dwellers with the amount of green areas at their disposal. Santry Demesne in North Dublin is one such example and in the park is a magical wild place called Northwood Lake. Fingal County Council who are responsible for the Park stay at ‘arms length’ from the lake as much as is possible in order to maintain its wildness.

But one man visits regularly, almost every day for the last year. Not a dog walker or jogger as you might expect, Paul Freeney takes a keen interest in the wildlife at Northwood. In fact what he sees at the lake each day is documented, it is recorded in words and images and true to the E-world we now live in his images and reports are read all over the world and commented on by the visitors to Paul’s blog and Photo site on the internet.

Now Paul has taken his love of wildlife one step further as he will be holding a Photographic Exhibition of his fascinating images right through the month of March in Omni Park Shopping Centre. When we spoke to him he was more than enthusiastic about the event, “We’ve pulled out all the stops for this and are proud that we will be displaying high quality fully framed images that will excite and inspire.”

“After a full year of this solitary pursuit I am delighted with the way people have responded to the images and the whole idea of this exhibition,” Paul said. “Omni Park Shopping Centre have been just great, they rightly see this as a vote of confidence in the community and the environment and once they were on board local businesses got involved too. In fact we are now in the lucky situation that every visitor to the exhibition will be entered in a ‘wonder draw’, prizes ranging from a family flight with Aer Arann, a dinner for two in the Crowne Plaza Hotel or a beauty treatment in Beauty Laine Salon.”

The plans for the exhibition belie its humble beginnings, Paul explained “we are aiming for a relaxed atmosphere, the lovely wooden floors and white walls of the former shop will be transformed with furniture from desksandchairs.ie and plenty of greenery will bring an atmosphere that people will be happy to pause in while they enjoy the images on display.”

“In fact,” Paul smiled, “ it’s a long way from some of those muddy and rainy days at the lakeside last winter. I took these pictures so that people will realise the wonderful amenity that is right beside them not only here in Santry, but in every park you visit in Dublin. The wildlife is there just waiting to be discovered !!!